Summary

A flabby, but wealthy regular at the casino, proposes marriage to Villanelle. Ever the pragmatic Venetian, she considers the offer. As the two share a bottle of expensive wine, Villanelle's thoughts turn to the Queen of Spades. Suddenly aware that the man is groping her, she shakes him off and refuses to ever marry him. The encounter turns violent and Villanelle is raped.

With November comes the fog and drizzle that Venetians call the catarrh. Once blamed for any embarrassing or inexplicable death, the fog now serves to drive away foreigners. Still heartsick, and having no work to do, Villanelle waits around in costume for the unlikely opportunity to deal cards. Unexpectedly, the Queen of Spades reappears with the matching earring. It suddenly occurs to Villanelle that the Queen likely thinks Villanelle is male.